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How to Recognize Phone Scams

5 minute read

What to do when you get a suspicious call — including AI voice clone scams.

Scam calls are getting sophisticated. Caller ID can be faked. AI can clone voices. But you can still protect yourself by knowing the rules that legitimate callers always follow.

The Golden Rule

If someone calls you asking for money or personal information: hang up and call back using a number you find yourself.

Look up the real number on:

  • Their official website
  • Your account statement
  • The back of your card
  • Their official app

If the call was legitimate, they’ll have a record of the issue.

This rule works against every phone scam ever invented — including AI voice clones. Scammers can fake who’s calling, but they can’t intercept a call you make yourself to the real number.

Red Flags on Any Call

They claim to be from…

Claim Reality
“The IRS” The IRS sends letters first. They never call demanding immediate payment.
“Social Security” SSA doesn’t call to threaten benefit suspension.
“Microsoft/Windows Support” Microsoft never calls you about computer problems. Ever.
“Your bank’s fraud department” But they’re asking for your PIN or password (real banks don’t).
“The police” Threatening arrest unless you pay right now (real police don’t).
Your grandchild, but something’s “off” Could be an AI voice clone. Verify before sending money.

They want you to pay with…

  • ❌ Gift cards (iTunes, Amazon, Google Play)
  • ❌ Wire transfers (Western Union, MoneyGram)
  • ❌ Cryptocurrency
  • ❌ Cash sent by mail
  • ❌ Zelle or Venmo to someone you don’t know

No legitimate business or government agency uses these payment methods.

They create pressure…

  • “Don’t hang up or you’ll be arrested”
  • “This is time-sensitive — act now”
  • “Don’t tell anyone about this call”
  • “Stay on the line while you go to the store”

Legitimate organizations let you verify. Scammers need you to act before you think.

⚠️ New Threat: AI Voice Clones

Scammers can now clone someone’s voice using just a few seconds of audio from social media videos or voicemails. This is being used for “grandparent scams” and fake kidnapping calls.

How it works:

  1. Scammer finds audio of your family member online
  2. AI clones their voice in minutes
  3. You get a call that sounds exactly like your grandchild, child, or spouse
  4. They claim to be in trouble and need money immediately
  5. They beg you not to tell anyone

How to protect yourself:

Establish a family code word. Pick a word or phrase only your family knows. If someone calls claiming to be in trouble, ask for the code word. An AI clone won’t know it.

Call them back on their real number. Hang up and call your family member directly. If they’re really in trouble, they’ll answer. If they don’t answer, call other family members.

Ask a question only they’d know. “What did we eat at Thanksgiving last year?” An AI clone can mimic voice, not memories.

Don’t trust caller ID. Even if it shows your family member’s number, it can be spoofed.

Specific Scenarios

“This is the IRS…”

Hang up immediately. The IRS will NEVER:

  • Call demanding immediate payment
  • Threaten arrest or deportation
  • Ask for gift cards or wire transfers
  • Call without first sending a letter

If you’re worried about taxes, call the IRS yourself: 1-800-829-1040

“This is Microsoft Support…”

It’s always a scam. Microsoft will NEVER call you about:

  • Viruses on your computer
  • Windows problems
  • License issues
  • Security warnings

Just hang up. If you’re worried about your computer, take it to a trusted local repair shop.

“This is your bank’s fraud department…”

Your bank might legitimately call about fraud, but they’ll NEVER ask for:

  • Your full password
  • Your PIN
  • One-time security codes they just sent you
  • To transfer money to “protect” it

What to do: Say “I’ll call you back” and hang up. Call the number on the back of your card.

“Grandma/Grandpa, I’m in trouble…”

Before sending any money:

  1. Hang up and call them directly on their real phone number
  2. Call their parents if you can’t reach them
  3. Ask your family code word
  4. Ask a question only they’d know

Scammers research families on social media. They may know names, schools, and other details. But they can’t know your family’s inside jokes or shared memories.

Tech Support Pop-Up Telling You to Call

If a pop-up appears saying your computer is infected and to call a number:

  1. Don’t call — This is always a scam
  2. Don’t click anything in the pop-up
  3. Close your browser — Force quit if needed
  4. Restart your computer if the pop-up won’t go away

Real security software doesn’t ask you to call a phone number.

Handling Robocalls

  • Don’t press any buttons — not even to “opt out”
  • Don’t say “yes” to anything — scammers record this
  • Just hang up
  • Block the number after
  • Register at donotcall.gov

Note: The Do Not Call Registry reduces legitimate telemarketing but doesn’t stop scammers (who don’t follow the law anyway).

Remember: Caller ID Can Be Faked

Scammers can make any number appear on your phone:

  • Your bank’s real number
  • Government agencies
  • Local area codes
  • Numbers similar to yours
  • Your own number
  • Your family member’s number

Never trust caller ID alone. The only way to be sure is to call back on a number you verify yourself.

Quick Summary

✓ Legitimate callers won’t mind if you hang up and call back
✓ Never give info to someone who called you
✓ Caller ID can be faked
✓ Government agencies don’t demand gift cards
✓ AI can clone voices — verify unexpected calls from family
✓ When in doubt, hang up

You Have Permission to Hang Up

You don’t owe strangers on the phone an explanation. You don’t need to be polite to potential scammers. Your only obligation is to yourself.

If something feels off, hang up. That’s always the right choice.